A Catholic chaplain at the University of Oxford has been asked to step down after an internal safeguarding investigation upheld a complaint of professional misconduct made by a student. Father Damian Howard, who became senior chaplain of the Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy in 2023, was removed from his role after the Jesuits in Britain concluded that inappropriate behaviour had taken place.
Howard was previously one of the most senior figures in the Jesuit order in the UK, having served as provincial superior from 2017 to 2023. His departure from the chaplaincy was initially presented to students as a personal decision, with a notice posted last September stating that he had “stepped down for personal reasons.” The chaplaincy has now confirmed that this was not the case.
In a statement, the Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy said Howard was asked to step down “on the grounds of professional misconduct” following a complaint by a student that was investigated and substantiated by the Jesuits in Britain. While the ruling did not classify the behaviour as abuse, it concluded that Howard had acted inappropriately and breached professional boundaries.
The complaint was made by a postgraduate student who said Howard had supported him academically and pastorally and that the two had developed a friendship. The student alleged that Howard initiated unwanted intimate contact on several occasions. He also said he felt unable to challenge the situation because he relied on Howard for pastoral care, including during a period of grief following the death of a friend.
Jesuits in Britain said the matter was acted on as soon as it came to their attention. The organisation stated that a safeguarding investigation confirmed inappropriate behaviour, describing it as “entirely unacceptable.” Howard was asked to step down and has not held any ministry role since. The Jesuits also confirmed that the case has been reported to the Charity Commission and to relevant authorities.
An independent review has now been commissioned and is being carried out by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency. Jesuits in Britain said they are awaiting its recommendations but expressed confidence in their safeguarding procedures, adding that complaints are handled “with integrity.”
Howard was also an honorary fellow at Campion Hall, the Jesuit-run permanent private hall at Oxford, though he held no teaching responsibilities. Campion Hall said it ended his fellowship after being informed that he had stepped down from his chaplaincy role for professional misconduct.
The student who made the complaint is understood to have requested a review of how the case was handled, expressing dissatisfaction with how his allegations and wishes were recorded by church authorities. Howard was approached for comment but was unable to respond while the review is ongoing. Jesuits in Britain said he is not in a position to comment during the process.
The case adds to wider concerns about safeguarding and transparency at Oxford. In recent months, three senior professors have resigned from senior university roles following allegations of harassment or sexual misconduct. A growing number of academics have called on the university’s leadership to be more open about how such cases are handled, amid fears that institutional responses remain opaque and inconsistent.
